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YOUR TEEN'S FIRST SUMMER JOB

• BY THE TIME CHILDREN ARE IN THEIR EARLY TEENS, THEY MAY BE READY FOR A SUMMER JOB.
  
  Whether they do extra chores around the house for pay or try the fast food circuit, this is a time when they may develop attitudes and habits which they'll take into their future careers.  That's why it's a great time to help them approach work in a mature manner.
  
  Make sure the jobs they take are appropriate and that they are sufficiently prepared.  Teens who baby-sit should take a first aid course and be familiar with emergency numbers and procedures.  Kids who may be working around mowing, farming or other machinery should be thoroughly schooled in their operation before being allowed to use them.  Injuries are not uncommon, so make safety a high priority when deciding on and preparing your child for summer employment.
  
  Talk about what employment means in terms of commitment of time and energy.  Discuss employers' expectations for being on time, missing work, staying on task and so forth.  Ask your teen if he or she understands the concept of a "work ethic"...then discuss it.  Decide who will be responsible for getting the teen to work if he or she doesn't yet drive and whether his or her schedule will coincide with the rest of the family's.  Iron out all the little details before your teen makes a commitment to an employer.
  
  Talk to your teen about money management.  For many teens, this will be the first real paycheck, so chances are, when that check arrives, you're going to hear, "What the heck is FICA?"  Sit down with your teen and talk about gross versus net earnings, taxes, withholdings and so forth.  In addition, talk to your teen about saving a portion of his paycheck or even setting up a savings account.  With luck he'll learn the concept of postponement of gratification.
  
  Talk to your teen about peer pressure on the job.  She may be faced with anything from sexual harrassment to drug abuse while in the work place.  Ask her what she would do in a threatening situation.  Make sure your teen knows how to report dangerous situations to employers without fear of retribution.  Let your teen know that she can come to you if something happens in the workplace which makes her uncomfortable.
  
  Don't forget to praise your teen for a job well done.  Ask him about his day and encourage him to talk about his job experience.  Sharing his work experiences will give you something in common as you share your own work day with him and may be the first truly "adult" conversation you have with your teen.
  
  The first summer job can be stressful and exciting for both you and your teen.  It may take some time and transportation commitments on your part.  But, it's also a great opportunity for teaching valuable lessons about responsibility.  And there is no better civics lesson for your teen than getting out there in the working world and experiencing it for himself.